Rector objects to football pitch plans over concerns about shouting and loud swearing

A local rector has objected to plans for a new football pitch at Alderley Park in Nether Alderley due to concerns that it would result in whistle-blowing, crowd shouting and loud swearing.

Alderley Park Ltd have applied for planning permission to build a full size football pitch on land to the northwest of Mereside car park, which is currently grassland bound by trees and hedgerows.

The scheme includes an 11-a-side senior football pitch and single storey pavilion building with changing, toilet and shower facilities, storage areas, a kitchen and an education room which would be available to the community.

The site falls within the North Cheshire Green Belt the Site and is located adjacent to the Alderley Edge Conservation Area. To the northwest of the site there is a number of listed buildings, the nearest being the Grade II Listed Eagle and Child Cottage, and St.Mary's Church, which lies approximately 200 metres to the northwest.

The Rector of St.Mary's Church has objected to the planning application stating it will have an adverse impact in the church due to the noise from football matches and training sessions which "can be disturbing and distressing".

In his letter of objection Rev'd Jon Hale wrote "These are sounds of whistle-blowing, crowd shouting and individual people shouting, often in a state of heightened emotion which can cause loud swearing.

"Despite the presence of trees and vegetation, the sounds from the proposed football pitch would carry, and particularly so in the winter – which is the football season - when the trees have shed their leaves."

He also raised concerns regarding an intrusion on openness of the green belt site when viewed from Ladies Lane and Congleton Road.

Kath Mackay, Managing Director, Bruntwood SciTech - Alderley Park said "The Alderley Park masterplan is about creating a total place to work, live, and relax for the science and tech businesses based at the Park, residents and the local community.

"The proposed sports pitch will create a valuable new amenity for the benefit of the local community and schools. Once built, the changing pavilion will also have an education room which can be used for a variety of activities such as after school clubs and holiday camps, providing much needed space for the community and younger generations to come together."

A hybrid planning application (ref: 15/5401M) was approved in June 2016 for the redevelopment of the wider Alderley Park estate, this included the redevelopment of specialist laboratory, office and ancillary floorspace, residential dwellings, a mixed- use local centre, sports facilities, community uses, car parking and associated open space.

The application site for the new football pitch falls outside the site boundary of the previous hybrid application and has not previously been subject to any form of development.

Plans for the football pitch at Alderley Park can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council planning portal by searching for planning reference 21/0630M.

Tags:
Alderley Park
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Gordon Hyslop
Thursday 18th March 2021 at 5:29 pm
Good grief can’t have people following a healthy pursuit and enjoying themselves
Thursday 18th March 2021 at 9:55 pm
Anyone objecting to him ringing a bell on Sunday mornings?
Guy Beardsley
Friday 19th March 2021 at 6:21 am
There are 100s of church football teams across the country and Manchester City started as a church team. These teams encourage team work and friendship amongst other things. Surely These values are shared by the church and the Christian faith?
Jon Williams
Friday 19th March 2021 at 7:54 am
Yes, but they are not all outside a church !
Guy Beardsley
Friday 19th March 2021 at 3:09 pm
So it’s ok outside other buildings, places where people gather, housing etc as long as it’s not next to a church.

What a selfish viewpoint
Guy Beardsley
Friday 19th March 2021 at 3:24 pm
So it’s ok for football to be played by teams (including church teams) outside other buildings, places where people gather, housing etc as long as it’s not next to a church.

Seems a bit selfish to me
Frank Maltby
Wednesday 24th March 2021 at 3:37 pm
Why does he have to swear!
A man of the cloth should know better!
Yvonne Bentley
Thursday 25th March 2021 at 9:50 am
The main objections to this football pitch centre around the fact that the proposed area is green belt land that has never been previously developed. It lies outside any previous planning applications. There are already TWO other pitches on the Alderley Park complex. The proposed site is surrounded by buildings of historical significance. It also is adjoining a conservation area which is home to the largest regional heronry and a community of greater crested newts.